Canon DSLR enthusiasts take note – two new lenses have been added to the company’s EF lens series. Set to please enthusiasts and professionals – the EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM and EF 35mm f/2 IS USM offers first-class optical technologies alongside highly compact designs. It should be perfect for a range of creative purposes, including reportage, landscape, portrait, and travel photography.

 

“Ideal for use alongside DSLRs like the new EOS 6D, both new lenses utilise the latest Canon technologies to consistently deliver superb results,” comments Roger Machin, product manager at Canon South Africa.

 

Both include aspherical lenses and Super Spectra Coatings optimised for each individual element, Canon’s industry-leading Image Stabilizer (IS) technology and Ultrasonic Motors for superfast autofocus (AF). The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM is also the latest lens to feature Hybrid IS, delivering shake-free shots at any distance, including at macro focal lengths.

 

 

 

The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM is the latest addition to Canon’s elite L-series, and expands the range of standard zoom EF lenses available for both professional and amateur photographers.

 

The company believes it is ideal for reportage and wedding photography, since it combines an essential everyday focal range with a premium quality L-series construction, delivering consistently sharp, professional-quality stills in a range of different situations.

 

A new macro function also optimises the placement of lens groups during macro photography, allowing shooting at a maximum magnification of 0.7x – reducing the need for photographers to carry a dedicated macro lens.

 

The optical system includes two aspherical elements alongside two Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lenses, each with optimised Super Spectra Coatings to minimise chromatic aberration, colour blurring and flare. A constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range provides photographers with exceptional creative control, allowing blurring of the background of a scene at all focal lengths.

 

A nine-blade circular iris also assists photographers in making their subjects stand out, delivering beautiful out of focus highlights (bokeh) in the background blur to add atmosphere to a shot.

 

The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM also features a newly designed IS system, delivering blur-free images throughout the zoom range. Canon’s advanced optical IS offers a 4-stop light advantage, while Hybrid IS effectively compensates for angular and shift shake during macro shooting for stable close ups.

 

Fast AF performance is provided by a small, ring-type Ultrasonic Motor (USM), working in combination with a high-performance CPU and advanced AF algorithms, to enable accurate, silent and responsive autofocusing. Full-time manual focusing also ensures adjustments can be made even when AF is engaged.

 

The EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM features a high grade, usability-focused design – both inside and out. The exterior features a high quality leather-texture coating, a revised shape ensures ease-of-use, and the focusing and zoom rings have been designed for optimal operation.

 

Additionally, the lens has a dust and drip-proof construction; a lock function protects lenses from knocks when travelling; while fluorine coating minimises the amount of dust, dirt and fingerprints that adhere to the front and rear lenses – helping to maintain superior image quality and reduce the need for cleaning.

 

 

The new EF 35mm f/2 IS USM is designed to offer outstanding flexibility – allowing photographers to capture an even broader range of scenes and subjects in wide-angle.

 

In now doubt inspired by the success of the company’s recent EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake, the lens is Canon’s first-ever 35mm prime to feature optical Image Stabilizer technology. The 35mm focal length also provides the ability to capture everything from close-up portraits to wide-angle landscapes, making it an ideal companion for travel or general reportage photography.

 

Its advanced specification offers photographers great flexibility to shoot a wider-range of scenes and subjects. A bright, fixed f/2 aperture also allows photographers to employ a shallow depth of field, and optical IS offers users a 4-stop light advantage, enabling the capture of blur-free images in low light conditions when shooting handheld. Intelligent detection of panning motion is also supported, with Panning IS mode automatically engaged to enable photographers to capture movement with greater accuracy.

 

Designed to deliver exceptional image quality, the EF 35mm f/2 IS USM features an aspherical glass-moulded (GMo) element positioned at the rear of the optical path to correct aberration for the entire optical system. Additionally, each individual element features optimised Super Spectra coatings to reduce ghosting and flare, ensuring excellent colour balance with minimal need for post processing. A combination of a ring-type USM and high performance CPU also provides rapid AF performance, with full-time manual focus also available for users who want to retain maximum control.

 

No local release dates or prices are available yet. 

 

 

Both new lenses also come with newly-designed Mark II lens caps, which incorporate a hook mechanism in the centre of the cover, as opposed to the sides. Simply pinching the hook allows users to quickly remove and replace caps mid-shoot, especially when using lens hoods. The re-designed lens caps will start to be rolled out across Canon’s entire EF lens range from the beginning of January 2013, and will also be available to buy separately.

 

EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM key features:

· High image quality 24-70mm lens with f/4 aperture

· Light weight design

· Built in IS

· Macro function

· Dust / moisture resistant

 

EF 35mm f/2 IS USM key features:

· Fixed prime 35mm wide angle lens

· 4 stop Image Stabilizer

· Fast f/2 minimum aperture

· Compact size and design

· Circular aperture

 

In related Canon news, read more on the company's upcoming 2012 Expo.